Dreams: A Collection Of Romance One-Shots

Cafe

She smoothed her rosy pink dress before closing her eyes, listening in the music playing in the cafe and soaking in the sunlight. The smell of hibiscus and lavender fowers filled her nose, casting a calming spell over her. When she opened her eyes, she took a sip of her chocolate smoothie and looked down at her book, the words faded from being in the sun for hours at a time and the cover worn and torn from being read a dozen times. Behind her the bell that was hung above the cafe door dinged but, she didn't hear it. Instead she had been pulled into the words of each page, oblivious to the world. 

It seemed like hours had past when she finally looked up. A man stood in front of her, his eyes darting around, and a latte in his right hand and a book in his left.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before setting her book down to greet him. "Hi," She said softly, her voice quivering as nervousness settled in her stomach. He quickly turned his attention towards her. "Oh sorry. Hi," He stuttered and a quiet giggle escaped her lips. "Are you looking for someone?" She asked and he slowly nodded. "Yeah."

She turned to face the direction he had been looking and furrowed her eyebrows when she saw a woman who carried herself with confidence walk across the parking lot towards them. "I'm sorry but, I have to go," he said and she shrugged. "Well if you need a stranger to talk to some time, I'll be right here," She laughed and he gave her a small smile before walking into the coffee shop with the woman. She went back to reading her book but, she looked up at the sky, a cloud had settled in front of the sun. She let out a soft sigh, hiding away her disappointed at the sun's disappearance.      

She took another sip of her smoothie before looking around, curiosity seeping into her mind as she looked through the window to see the man and the woman talking. The man looked calm, he was leaning against the chair, taking slow but, short sips of his coffee as he spoke here and there, always hearing what the woman had to say. His brown hair almost looked reddish in the lighting of the coffee shop, his arms crossed and his lips pursed. She chewed on her lower lip before glancing at the woman. Her eyes were narrowed, almost as if she was upset. Her black hair, down to her waist was unbrushed and no matter how much concealer she could put on, nothing could hide the baggy eyes. She turned around, guilt settling in her stomach as she quickly reminded herself to be polite and to finish the book that she had read again and again before. 

After reading a chapter or two, the woman stormed out, fury burning in her eyes as she made her way towards her car and the man slowly appeared at the cafe door, watching her walk away. She chewed on her lower lip and looked up at him, setting her book down for a second time and gave him a small but, reassuring smile. "Would you like to sit with me? We can just read. We don't have to talk." He shrugged and sat across from her, setting his coffee on the table before pulling out his book. "Okay," He said quietly after glancing in the direction the woman had walked off. 

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear again and glanced at him, studying his eyes. He looked up a couple times before setting down his book. "Yes?" He asked, uncertainty dripping in his voice. A red color blossomed in her cheeks. "Sorry. I'm just kinda curious about stuff. I mean it's not my place to ask but, could I know your name by chance?" 

He nodded. "I'm Nathan." He held out a hand and she shook it. "Lucille." Nathan gave her a small smile before closing his book, his hands lingering on the cover and his lips parting slightly. "Are you okay?" Lucille asked, standing up slowly. "I'll get better," he replied and gave her a confused look. "What're you doing?" She gave him a small laugh. "Buying us cookies."
He raised an eyebrow and stood up after her. "You don't have to." She shook her head and insisted, "No no. Whatever you're going through, you look like you need a cookie. And I just want one." She gave him a smile before running inside the cafe. She spied two chocolate cookies that sat inside the display case on the counter and Lucille asked for them. "Do you want them warmed up?" The barista asked and she nodded. "Thank you," Lucille smiled and the barista nodded.
After a couple minutes Lucille came out with two cookies and Nathan reading his book. She sat down in front of him and handed him a cookie, a smile of pride displayed across her face. "Thank you," he said with a smile as he took a bite. "Uh huh," She giggled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Cookies make everything better," She laughed and he nodded. "Those are some wise words." She nodded and they both began talking about their books, lives, and cookies.